TRIB Adds Three
Nokian Tyres Inc. (U.S.), Dorsey Tire Co., based in Savannah, Ga.; and Malaysia’s Platinum 1 International are the newest members of TRIB. “We are very happy to welcome these companies to the TRIB family and we know they will enjoy the many benefits TRIB offers to its members worldwide,” said Harvey Brodsky, TRIB’s managing director. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingJK Tyre Quarter Profits Hit by Increased Costs
Third quarter profits for JK Tyre & Industries Ltd were dented by rising material costs. Although sales in the three months to June 30,2008 were 17.7 per cent up on the previous year, between April and June the company recorded a net profit of Rs 202.4 million (£2.37 million), an increase of just 0.25 per cent on the previous year’s third quarter. Net sales for the quarter were Rs 8.49 billion (£99.57 million), as opposed to 7.22 billion (£84.68 million) a year earlier.
Continue ReadingMichelin To Increase Replacement Tyre Prices in Japan
In the second half of 2008 Nihon Michelin Tire Co., Ltd will raise the delivery prices for its replacement market products in Japan. Michelin states this series of price increases is unavoidable: “In the last year or so the industry has registered a continued escalation in the prices of raw materials. Continued efforts to internally compensate for this situation are not enough, obliging us to partially reflect this state of affairs in our prices,” the company said in a press release.
Continue ReadingHidden [Auto]Gem
In the last few years Autogem Motor Concepts LLP has grown rapidly from a faltering supplier to an influential player in the tyre and workshop consumable business. The turning point came in September 2005 when the Invicta group of companies took over the reins at Autogem. Initially, the new owners embarked on the project with a team of just 10. The first major move the new managing partners, brothers Prashant and Adit Chopra, made was to consolidate Invicta and Autogem’s existing four warehouses into one bespoke distribution centre in Park Royal, London. They have been in their current warehouse/offices since April 2006 and closed Autogem’s inefficient old Leeds telesales operation in July 2007, after winding down the business’s dependency on this location. Here, the staff of 50 was reduced to just two, with the rest taking redundancy. This rapid reduction in headcount could be seen as harsh, but from Autogem’s management’s perspective it just demonstrates how inefficient the company they took over had become.
Continue ReadingGoodyear Appoints New Internal Audit VP
Goodyear has announced the appointment of Richard Pegher to the position of vice president of internal audit. Pegher’s appointment, effective August 1, sees him reporting functionally to the audit committee of the company’s Board of Directors and administratively to executive vice president and CFO Mark Schmitz. In this role, based at the company’s Akron, Ohio headquarters, Pegher will implement audit programs and evaluate risk exposures relating to the company’s governance, operations, financial reporting and information systems.
Continue ReadingCourt Rule Against Tiremakers in Data Reporting Suit
The U.S. Court of Appeals rejected an RMA argument concerning public access to early warning data tiremakers are required to supply the government under terms of the TREAD Act. The court, in a case involving Public Citizen, said the “plain language” of the TREAD Act precluded attempts to keep private certain early warning data. Tiremakers are required to provide NHTSA with a wide range of information they collect on accidents resulting in deaths, injuries or property damage. However, they claimed, through the RMA, that such information should not be released publicly as it is often incomplete and could be misinterpreted. (Tire Review/Akron)
Continue ReadingContinental Sime Achieves Quality Management Certification
Malaysia’s Continental Sime Tyre PJ Sdn. Bhd has recently been granted ISO/TS 16949 certification. The international quality management system for the automotive industry is primarily applicable for dealings with OE customers, however the company adds it is also important for future business opportunities, as the fulfilment of ISO/TS 16949 requirements confirms that the certified company delivers a high level of quality and that the quality control system in place is working effectively.
Continue ReadingPirelli Appoints New Global Advertiser
Wieden & Kennedy Amsterdam are set to start work on Pirelli’s global advertising campaign. The account – reported to be worth £18 million – was awarded following meetings at which creative ideas were discussed. Pirelli has a reputation for creativity and innovation in advertising, making the manufacturer’s signature a highly-prized scalp for W&K. The iconoclasm of the brand is not lost on managing director of W&K Amsterdam, Lee Newman, who noted the company’s “charisma” and “soul”. Executive creative director for the advertising firm, John Norman was equally taken with the Italian giant’s presence: “We are ecstatic to be partnering with the Pirelli brand. Their heritage of design and provocative style are a perfect match for W&Ks creative approach.”
Continue ReadingRide Straight With ProBike
As a firm that specialises exclusively in the supply of workshop tools and equipment for motorcycles and quad bikes, ProBike Ltd is able to fully understand its clients’ particular needs. Therefore it is little wonder that the company has grown over a period of twenty years to become the UK’s leading workshop equipment specialist. The latest alignment products available from the Northampton based firm are the Probat alignment tool for motorcycles and the Proquat, suitable for ATVs. These German manufactured laser aligners offer, reports ProBike, a very quick and accurate method of measuring motorcycle or ATV wheel alignment. Two separate laser line generator modules project vertical laser beams from the rear wheel forward, striking the screens attached to the front wheel. Viewing the position of these beams on the front screens provides the operator with instant, easily readable information about the vehicle’s current alignment and camber settings.
Continue ReadingAll-Round Investment From OTR
OTR tyres Ltd. says that the company is preparing for the future with a program of continual investment in machinery, processes and performance.This program has seen OTR upgrade a number of manufacturing facilities over the past 12 months – a process which the company says has transformed the ethos of the factory from skilled manual processes to fully automated manufacturing. According to Manufacturing Director Darren Flint, OTRs retread manufacturing process is now more akin to new tyre manufacture – demonstrating high levels of accuracy to produce products which are as close to new tyre production as is currently possible. An investment in new equipment has seen the installation of two fully-automated buffing and grooving machines, providing improved accuracy and the ability to guarantee specifications on retread tyres.
Continue ReadingConti: Schaeffler Takeover is ‘Desirable’
Schaeffler Group’s so-called “sneaking takeover” of Continental AG now appears to be unstoppable, following the supervisory and executive boards’ decision that an agreement with Schaeffler is “desirable.” The supervisory board has consented for the executive board to enter into direct negotiations with Schaeffler for either a better premium for Continental shareholders or to persuade it to limit its stake. Both boards agreed, after intensive deliberation, that Schaeffler’s revised 11.3 billion euro offer does not value the company sufficiently highly “and fails to reflect the best interest of the company.” In response Schaeffler cautiously welcomed Continental’s decision: “The Schaeffler Group welcomes that the management and supervisory boards of Continental AG are of the opinion that an agreement with Schaeffler Group is desirable…[and]…is now waiting for Continental AG to substantiate their expectations.” What really rattled Continental about Schaeffler’s original offer, which was the lowest it legally could have been under German law (market regulator Bafin up it from 11.2 to 11.3 billion so it would match its minimum calculation), was that it does not take tax disadvantages and increased re-financing costs triggered by such a bid into account. This is something that is particularly significant in Hannover because Conti is one of the most high leveraged tyre businesses around. And if that isn’t enough Schaeffler’s takeover will trigger a renegotiation of the terms of the 13.5 billion euro loan Conti took out to buy Siemens VDO. When you take the credit crunch into account, it will be difficult for Conti to secure the same terms it did then.
Continue ReadingRecyclatech Researches Using Microbiology in Tyre Devulcanisation
The Recycling Commercialisation Centre has awarded funding to Scottish tyre recycling company, Recyclatech, to further develop a technique designed to make rubber easily bondable with natural or synthetic rubber. According to a Plastics & Rubber Weekly report, the rubber can then be reused in car tyres and products such as basic underlay for carpets, soundproofing materials for apartments and Wellington boots. Furthermore, Recyclatech’s process is said to be ideal for disposing of waste tyres. In this process worn out tyres are crumbed into small particles, which are then put through the microbiological technique.
Continue ReadingTSRC Planning India, Vietnam Rubber Facilities
With a view to maximise the opportunities present in emerging nations, Taiwan based SBR (styrene butadiene rubber) and BR (polybutadiene rubber) manufacturer TSRC Corporation plans to establish facilities in India and Vietnam. TSRC president W.H. Tu said the company is considering setting up factories in these two countries as both possess a booming automotive industry but lack an upstream raw material supply of SBR and BR. In addition, TSRC is also studying the feasibility of establishing a plant in the Middle East due to regional advantage of low-price raw materials for the production of SBR and BR.
Continue ReadingMistaken Identity?
Is not even the tyre industry safe from cybersquatting? Tyres & Accessories was recently surprised by its attempts to view Dunlop’s UK website. Upon entering the address www.dunlop-tyres.co.uk, instead of viewing the expected Dunlop homepage, we found ourselves face to face with the website of rival tyremaker Michelin. Additionally, a search under www.dunlop.co.uk was equally unfruitful. The website is registered in the name of Essex based man named David Dunlop, and is reportedly available for purchase. A representative from Goodyear Dunlop has pointed out that the correct website address for the company’s UK Dunlop site is www.dunloptyres.co.uk.
Continue ReadingIconic Chimney Bricks to Be Sold
Blue, yellow and – in some cases – blue-and-yellow bricks once part of Goodyear’s famous landmark chimney in Wolverhampton are to be sold, with the proceeds going to charity. The beloved 150 ft tower was felled last month in the presence of 1,000 onlookers, and now 350 pieces of industrial memorabilia are available for purchase. Blue bricks will go for £2, yellow for £5, and the much sought after two-tone bricks will be sold for a tenner. All monies raised will be donated to cancer care specialists Macmillan Nurses.
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